Newsletter #24 - Write for TeenHelp; preventing the effects of spring allergies; battling the urge to self harm.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #24 - March 16th 2012 - http://www.teenhelp.org

Welcome to the TeenHelp Newsletter! Our Newsletter contains a lot of useful information about our current work, including updates to our site and services, work with our partners and affiliates, details of upcoming events, short bits of advice, interesting links and more!

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TeenHelp regularly makes changes to its site and services. Some of these are large and noticeable, and others are small and much less so, but each one contributes to the positive development of TeenHelp and how our users experience our community. Below are some of the most recent developments.

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Join our new Articles Team to write for TeenHelp (March 10th 2012)

Since the closure of Avatar Magazine, TeenHelp have reorganised the former Avatar Editors into what is now known as the Articles Team. This team will continue to produce high quality material for TeenHelp's Articles section, and we need your help to grow this area! If you have good writing skills and think you could contribute some ideas to our articles, then we would welcome you to write for us and contribute to making this area a success. If you wish to join the Articles Team, please complete an application form at your earliest opportunity.

http://www.teenhelp.org/misc.php?do=form&fid=36

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New volunteer roles to run projects (March 5th 2012)

In an effort to ensure that we're investing enough time in certain site areas we have created a new series of volunteer positions to manage the day to day running of specific projects. These Project Officers will have a greater responsibility for their areas than in the past and will give us a greater capacity to develop and expand on what we currently offer. So far two new roles have been created - Newsletter Officer and Articles Officer - which have been offered to two of our hardest-working volunteers, Haley (Halcyon) and Chess (Sidhe.). Other new roles are likely to follow in due course. We would like to wish Haley and Chess all the best in their new positions.

http://www.teenhelp.org/stafflist/

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Latest videos (March 5th 2012)

Due to the hard work of our Videos Team, over the last several months we have seen many great additions to our Videos section. More videos are being added all the time, so check regularly to see all our favourite picks! Some of our latest additions include:

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the deliberate intention to threaten and abuse others through use of the Internet and other technologies. This video explains the seriousness of cyberbullying, and gives you advice on how you can protect a child from cyberbullying, how to detect if a child is a cyberbully, and how to confront the bully and their parents.

How To Stop Self Harming

Self harm is a way of coping with painful and difficult emotions, and can take on many forms. This video includes how to figure out why you started self harm in the first place and what the triggers are, alternative coping mechanisms, how to express yourself in a healthier way, and how to find support.

How To Come Out To Your Parents

Telling your parents about your sexual orientation can be very daunting. This video discusses if coming out to your parents is the best idea at this time, how to explain your sexuality and the different ways of doing so, how to remain calm, and how to act around your parents after you "come out".

How To Care For Hamsters

Owning a pet is a big responsibility and takes a lot of commitment. For new hamster owners, or those wanting to find out how best to care for their hamster, this video contains information on how to make sure your hamster is healthy and has enough exercise, how to hold and feed them, how to house a hamster, and much more.

http://www.teenhelp.org/videos/latest/

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TeenHelp works with a range of different organisations and websites in order to help and educate young people. Below is a selection of some of them. For a full list of the organisations we work with, please visit our Resources page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

The Reeve Foundation, founded in 1982, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries. Their website provides information on the different types of injury, areas of research and significant breakthroughs, and videos on health, paralysis and even success stories. There is also the opportunity to have your questions answered by a practicing psychologist and family therapist. This is a great resource for carers and those who are newly paralysed.

http://www.christopherreeve.org

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Each month we share small bits of practical advice that you can implement to improve your life or that of others.

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Spring clean your life

Negative energy can accumulate in our lives, in much the same way that our homes can accumulate clutter. Spring is traditionally the time for cleaning and starting afresh; here are some tips to help you spring clean your life.

• Ascertain what is important in your life. Review your daily routine and start using your time more effectively. For example, if you are someone who spends too much time on e-mails, social networking sites or playing video games, set yourself a time limit.
• Simplify your life, and learn to say no. Ask yourself, "How will this benefit me?" Juggling too many things at once can make you less productive and more stressed, which can have a negative impact on your health.
• Find ways to deal with anxiety and stress, and brighten up your day with humour and fun.
• Assess your relationships with people. Stop holding grudges and learn to forgive, but also know when to move on. Get rid of the negative relationships, and focus on the happy and fulfilling ones.
• Be active and adopt a healthy eating lifestyle. Eliminate excess sugar from your diet, and take advantage of this season's fruit and vegetables.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-lifestyle/

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Avoiding the effects of hay fever

Spring is on its way, which means plants and trees are starting to bloom again. The allergies that come with this can be a hindrance for those affected, so here are some tips to help you reduce allergic reactions this spring.

• The pollen count in the air is at its highest between 5am and 10am, so try to stay indoors as much as possible during that time.
• Run air conditioners and air filters in your house to remove the pollen floating around.
• Change your bedsheets often to prevent pollen from building up on your bedding.
• Increase your intake of vitamins that strengthen your immune system, such as vitamin C.
• Avoid foods such as dairy products, sugar, white rice and wheat.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-general-health/

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Asserting yourself effectively

Learning to assert yourself can assist you in many situations, such as during a confrontation, when grasping new opportunities, and stopping people from taking advantage of you. Here are some tips to help you assert yourself.

• Speak evenly, with a calm voice. Try to maintain eye contact and a good posture. You are more likely to gain support and respect by keeping your composure.
• Empathise with the other person's feelings to show that you understand their point of view, and that you are not trying to pick a fight.
• Ensure that your requests are clear and direct. Try not to phrase questions in a way that invite people to say, "No." For example, say, "Would you please..." instead of "Would you mind..."
• Use "I" statements and try to focus on the problem, rather than insulting, accusing or blaming the other person. For example, "I would appreciate it if my point of view could be heard," instead of, "You're not listening to my point of view."
• If the situation becomes challenging, defuse it by suggesting that you discuss the issue at another time. This will give the person a chance to calm down and think things through.

http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f14-mental-health/

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A lot of content is posted to TeenHelp every single day, from threads to articles, social groups to albums. But it is difficult for even the most veteran user to keep on top of it all, so we have selected a few items from among the masses that we thought were interesting to draw your attention to.

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Threads

Myers-Briggs personality typing.
Have you ever wanted to know which career path would best suit your personality? If so, check out this thread to take the test, and compare your results with others.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-e...nality-typing/

What are you giving up for Lent?
Lent is a time when many people give up the things that mean the most to them for a duration of 40 days.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f126-...iving-up-lent/

Cute pet stories?
Pets can do really cute things. In this thread you can read about some of the stories shared by TeenHelp's users.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f119-...e-pet-stories/

If you had all the money in the world...
If you had enough money to do as you please, what would you use it for? Would you spend it on yourself, use it to help others, or a bit of both?
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...l-money-world/

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Social Groups

Loss of friendship
Friends may come into our lives and then leave us at any point, and this can sometimes have a great affect on us. Join this group to share your story, and for support and advice from your peers.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...s++friendship/

What's the Rush?
As soon as you hit your teenage years, life can seem very fast-paced. If you believe that life should be slowed down a little, and that youngsters should have fun and enjoy life before they become adults, then join this group to meet like-minded people.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...%27s++rush%3F/

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Upcoming events

Discussion: Facing the challenges of growing up (Saturday March 17th 2012)

The transition from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood can be very testing, as you seek to find greater independence and a balanced lifestyle, while also coping with the developmental, emotional and psychological changes to your mind and body. You are not alone, however. Join this discussion for advice on how to make the transition easier, and to learn from the experiences of others.

Discussion: Death and grieving (Saturday March 24th 2012)

Death can be one of the toughest struggles to overcome. If you know someone who has passed away, and need help with moving on, join this discussion to learn more and help others with the same difficulties. Also, if you have lost loved ones to suicide, this discussion will help you start the healing process as a survivor.

Discussion: Building confidence and self-esteem (Saturday March 31st 2012)

If you have low confidence or self-esteem you may find yourself unable to carry out certain tasks or feeling that you are disliked by others. These feelings might hold you back and stop you from enjoying life to its fullest. Join this discussion to learn techniques to give your self-esteem a boost, and how to work on building confidence for a more fulfilling lifestyle.

Discussion: Social anxiety (Saturday April 7th 2012)

Social anxiety is the intense feeling of discomfort and fear of social situations. It is more than just shyness or feeling nervous, and it can be very debilitating for the sufferer. This discussion will help you to share and develop coping mechanisms, combat your fears, and learn to help others living with social anxiety.

Discussion: Dealing with triggers (Saturday April 14th 2012)

Triggers are anything that reminds you of negative feelings or makes you want to perform unhealthy or dangerous behaviours. Often these are unavoidable parts of life and are tough to deal with on your own. This discussion will help you learn to control any urges the triggers may cause and how to prevent them from affecting you.

For more information about upcoming Facilitated Chat Room Discussions (FCRDs), and the times that these discussions will take place, please visit our FCRD page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/chat/discussions/

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Donate to TeenHelp

In order to continue providing free services to young people around the world, TeenHelp requires a constant income of voluntary donations to support our regular costs. If you are able to, we ask that you please donate any money you can to us, even if it's only a few dollars.

http://www.teenhelp.org/donate/

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Our Facebook and Twitter pages are a great place to get a lot of high-quality information. We aim to connect you to interesting organisations, volunteering opportunities, events, news stories, pictures, videos, and more!

Facebook: http://www.teenhelp.org/facebook
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Editor-in-Chief: Rob
Newsletter Officer/Deputy Editor: Haley (Halcyon)
Assistant Editor: Jessie (eunoia)
Assistant Editor: Rianna (Sunlight.)
Assistant Editor: Lyndsee (Willow.)

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